Phillip Ray Haley

April 10, 1939 - December 19, 2013

Phillip Ray Haley, Sr. (Pops)

A celebration service honoring the life of Phillip Ray Haley, Sr., will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 23, 2013 in Faith Chapel at First Baptist Bossier. Dr. Fred Lowery will officiate, assisted by Dr. Brad Jurkovich. The family will receive friends before the service, beginning at noon. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Bennie Arthur, Bill Callens, Ron Guin, Barry Fisher, John McConathy, Mike McConathy, Curtis Sewell, Ralph Smith, Roy Underwood, Royce Watkins, and Phillip Whitman.Phillip Ray Haley, Sr. was born April 10, 1939 in Many, LA, and passed away unexpectedly on December 19, 2013 in Birmingham, AL at the age of 74, while visiting life-long friends. Phillip was preceded in death by parents Rudolph A. and Aleyne S. Haley. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Pamela R. Haley; sons Phillip Haley, Jr. and wife Venera; Sid Haley and wife Sandra; Scott Keys and wife Jennifer. He is survived by seven grandchildren: Zachary Haley, Shelby Haley, Kinley Keys, Avri Keys, Braelyn Keys, Kierstyn Garcia, and Devin Cunningham; brother, James Haley and wife Marilyn; sister Guianna Stephenson and husband, Coyle; brother, Stephen Haley, and many loving nieces and nephews. Basketball and other sports played a significant role in Phillip's life. A four-year letterman at Belmont High School, Phillip was selected as Louisiana's Mr. Basketball in 1957. He played four years of varsity basketball at Northwestern State College (now Northwestern State University). During his four years at Northwestern State University, he was also a four-year letterman and was chosen Freshman of the Year for the conference. He was inducted in NSU's Basketball Hall of Fame and chosen as one of the top 100 players in 100 years of NSU basketball history. He continued to support the basketball program by attending many of their games.Dr. Haley earned undergraduate and Master's degrees in Health and Physical Education at Northwestern State University and an Ed.D at University of Southern Mississippi. He taught and coached at Zachary High School and Parkway High School. He then joined the faculty at Bossier Parish Community College and taught health and physical education until he entered educational administration. He served as Assistant Principal at Cope Middle School, Principal at Greenacres Middle School and Airline High School. Prior to his retirement, he worked in the Bossier Parish School Central Office and established the Bossier Parish Alternative School.Phillip served his country in the United States Army, including two years of active duty at Ft. Bragg, NC, and 26 years in the Army Reserves and National Guard, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.An avid outdoorsman, Phillip enjoyed many years bow hunting on the Mississippi River and fishing on rivers and lakes in several states. He and family members took annual hunting trips to Colorado. He loved to tell stories about the many adventures and misadventures he experienced with brothers, sons, nephews, and friends along the way.He and Pam shared many trips within the United States, British Isles, Europe, and, more recently, Israel. They also enjoyed eating out and spending time with friends and family, especially their loving grandchildren. They are long-time members of First Baptist Bossier and Jerry Ables' Bible study class.The family would like to offer a special thank you to Dr. Dan Moller and his staff for their many years of loving care to Phillip. The family would also like to thank their friends and family for their continued prayers and support. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Phillip Haley's honor to NSU Basketball program, First Baptist Church, or Abaana's Hope (www.fourcorners.org).